Editing Fox (SSBM)/Neutral attack/Hit 1

[[File:Fox_Jab_(3).jpg|thumb|Frame 3 hitboxes of Fox's jab.]]Fox does a quick punch. This is most commonly referred to as Fox's jab. It is his second quickest attack next to {{mvsub|Fox|SSBM|down special|alt=shine}}, as the hitbox activates on the second frame. It is useful for it's quick start-up, low lag, decent range, and combo potential. It can, however, be susceptible to out of shield punishes and crouch cancel counters as well as strong ground attacks and disjointed attacks which out-prioritize it.

'''Strengths'''

*'''Quick start-up:''' Though the hitbox comes out on frame 2, Fox only extends his fist on frame 3. Even so, the attack is Fox's second fastest attack behind shine. The quick speed helps to hit first in close encounters which your opponent may choose a slower option. Also, at this speed it is impossible to react with a defensive option or DI on reaction. The opponent must be prepared for the attack beforehand to respond appropriately. This fact is vital to a move which is made useless by proper DI.

*'''Low lag:''' Only 12 frames of cooldown lag leaves little time to punish a whiffed jab, especially because of how Fox lunges his body forward and pulls himself back. For this reason it can be a useful move to use when concerned about an opponent trying to evade and punish your hit.

*'''Good range:''' A key advantage over using shine, jab has covers a solid area in front of Fox.

*'''Follow-up potential:''' A weak hit with a launch angle of 70 results several strong follow-up possibilities as discussed in the section below. This is also sometimes an advantage over using shine, because Fox sometimes has stronger follow-up options from a jab than a shine. For example, jab can lead to an upsmash on Jigglypuff, but a shine cannot.  

From a mathematical standpoint, jab can be punished out of shield by the average grab which is effective on frame 7. However, this dependent on the reaction time, timing, and out of shield options of the shielder as well as the spacing and use of jab 2 of the attacker. The window for a shield grab is only a few frames, and in some cases it is possible for the attacker to space the jab out of range of the shielder's out of shield options. Immediate use of jab 2 also leaves the shielder with only as few as 3 frames, which if disregarded may catch the shielder's counter option. However, jab 2 is more easily punished than jab 1 if shield is held and use of auto-smash DI down can render even a connected jab as punishable.

 

Overall, jab is generally safe from shield punishes when performed from it's maximum range, but it is a risky choice within shield grab range. In the best case, a jab can bait a whiffed or late out of shield punish, and in the worst case, a jab will be punished by a well-timed grab or strong character-specific option.

It is recommended to use jab sparingly against grounded opponents for this reason. One must consider the risk-reward for connecting the jab as well as if it will be anticipated. Jab is too quick to crouch cancel on reaction, so if the opponent is not prepared to crouch cancel, the jab will hit safely. Consider using moves that cannot be crouch canceled (shine, grab, dair) frequently to condition the opponent to not try crouch canceling.

[[File:Jab_UpSmash.gif|250px|thumb|Leffen uses Jab - Up Smash to KO Hungrybox at Big House 4.]]Fox's Jab to Up Smash combo is among the most effective combos in the game for finishing the opponent's stock. Jab is generally safer to use in neutral than Up Smash because of so much less lag, and it's speed allows it to connect in situations Up Smash may not. When the Jab is initiated, the Fox player must react to whether the hit connected and if it can be followed-up with the opponent's DI. It is a good example of a hit confirm because the Jab hit is relatively safe, and it is necessary to react immediately after the hit with an Up Smash if possible. The combo is especially used on floaty characters at a guaranteed KO percentage to finish a stock. It usually isn't used to build damage because the risk/reward compared to other options which can likely lead to more than two hits.

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